Could HRT protect women against coronvirus and explain why men are at greater risk? – The Sun

Posted: May 21, 2020 at 5:56 am

DOCTORS are working on new research that suggests women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could be protected from the coronavirus.

Data from the Office of National Statistics has previously stated that among those of working age, men were twice as likely to contract Covid-19 than their female counterparts.

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The figures revealed that there were 9.9 deaths per 100,000 in men compared with 5.5 per 100,000 in women.

Now one doctor has suggested that this may be due to the fact that many women are being shielded from the virus because of their hormone medication.

Menopause specialist, Dr Louise Newson today said that specialists are now looking into how hormones could be preventing women from contracting the virus.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain she said: "What we do know is that men have more severe disease with Covid-19 than women and we know that they are more likely to die and more likely to be in intensive care.

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"For a while we have been thinking is there something to do with our hormones, we also know that women who are younger and women who take HRT seem to have some protection.

"We also know pregnancy is protective as well and obviously in pregnancy people have very high hormone levels".

So far in the UK over 35,000 people have died from the coronavirus and the research could unearth why more men have succumbed to the illness than women.

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Dr Louise said she is currently working with Professor Tim Spector and his team with a new appl called Zoe.

The app aims to study different Covid symptoms and the team have now starting asking questions relating to hormone therapy.

These relate to whether or not a woman is on HRT, whether she is having a period, or if she takes the contraceptive pill.

"We want to find the data so we can obviously provide some evidence for policy makers", Dr Louise added.

"Im also working with a team of experts in infectious diseases, clinical pharmacology and public health in Liverpool University so we can really explore this potential role of oestrogen in Covid-19.

What is HRT?

HRT is a treatment which uses oestrogen and progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms.

As the therapy replaces the hormones that your body is lacking after this change, its considered to be one of the most effective remedies for the following ailments

Hormone replacement therapy is widely available to those who are battlingmenopausal symptoms.

Despite this, the NHS outlines those who may not be suitable for the treatment

"We know that oestrogen is very important for our immunity so the cells that fight any infections and we have oestrogen receptors on these cells.

"We know that stimulating them with oestrogen actually makes them work better, it makes them more efficient so it's more likely to fight the disease".

Numerous theories have emerged as to why men are more likely to have severe cases of the coronavirus.

Evidence shows that men have more angiotensin converting enzyme which allows the Covid virus to enter the lungs and other tissues.

This is while testosterone is also known to suppress the immune system and is at higher levels in men.

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Most women will experience some or all symptoms of the menopause before they reach a certain age and many turn to HRT for relief.

HRT is a treatment which uses oestrogen and progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms.

There are different ways of taking HRT and it can be administered through tablets, skin patches, gels and vaginal creams, pessaries or rings.

A study claimed thatwomen on hormone replacement therapy tend to live longer.

Taking the menopause relief treatment has survival benefits and cuts the overall risk of death by 30 per cent, experts claim.

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